Cody Willis | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Neighbours character | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Portrayed by | Amelia Frid (1989–1991) Peta Brady (1993–1996) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Duration | 1989–1991, 1993–1996 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
First appearance | 24 November 1989 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Last appearance | 29 March 1996 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Introduced by | Don Battye (1989) Alan Coleman (1993) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Amelia Frid as Cody (1990) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cody Willis is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours , originally played by Amelia Frid. She made her first on-screen appearance on 24 November 1989. The character departed in 1991, but returned in 1993 with Peta Brady in the role. Cody was last seen on-screen on 29 March 1996, following her death.
Amelia Frid successfully auditioned for Neighbours in 1989 and was cast in the role of Cody. [1] Frid called the experience a "right time, right place thing", she also added that "it was all kind of surreal". [1]
Cody was one of the first members of the Willis family to arrive in Ramsay Street. She soon became Todd Landers' (Kristian Schmid) girlfriend. [2] Frid told Dawn Bebe from BIG! that Cody is "flirty and does her best to chase boys – especially Todd". [3] Frid was embarrassed by her character's actions because she was completely unlike Cody. [3] Cody was initially described as being "studious" and a "high achiever." Her parents were very proud of her. [4] Cody earned a scholarship to study in America and she "jumped at the chance" to leave Erinsborough. [2] [4] Upon her return, Cody was a "determined young woman" and she once wore a fake moustache, so she could play on the men's cricket team. [4] Brady said believed that people liked her characters "down-to-earth qualities". [5] She also said that viewers had told her that they were happy to see "someone who isn't scarily beautiful" on the show. [5] A Sunday World columnist observed that "as well as sporting a more glamorous image, Cody is also a much more fun-loving young one." [6]
Frid's departure occurred during a revamp of Neighbours following a decline in ratings. Network Ten's executive John Holmes planned to introduce new characters, including Rachel Blakely and Scott Michaelson as Cody's siblings Gaby Willis and Brad Willis. [7] Ian Williams, who played Cody's eldest brother Adam Willis, was also due to depart. [7] Frid said that there was a lot of interest in renewing her contract, yet she chose to leave to study for her VCE. [1] Her Principal told her that the school could not support her if she wanted to continue with Neighbours and take her VCE. Frid made her on-screen departure on 30 July 1991, [1] as Cody leaves for America on a student exchange trip. [8]
The character was reintroduced in 1993. Frid was not asked to return and producers decided to recast the role. [1] [9] Peta Brady was a full-time student at Sydney University when she won the role of Cody. [5] Brady said she was "delighted" to play Cody when Frid was not available. She understood that some viewers might find the changes to the character "odd", but she hoped that they would not take too long to accept her. [6] Brady also commented "Cody's an interesting character and has a few surprises in store." [6] Critics and viewers immediately noted the physical differences between Brady and Frid. [8] Sue Malins of the Daily Mirror also observed that it was not just the character's looks that the producers had taken liberties with, as she calculated that Cody's age when she left meant that she should have been past school age, but Cody enrols in Erinsborough High upon her return. [8] A spokesperson told Malin: "A certain amount of dramatic licence has been taken to bring her back into year 12 at the school." [8] Cody's first day at the school causes "havoc" among the male students, who organise a competition to see who will date her first. However Cody swears off men, after revealing that her American boyfriend broke up with her to date her best friend. [8] Malins said that a "heartbroken" Cody came home for a fresh start. [8]
When Cody returns from America she is a "changed person" and "clearly broken-hearted." [2] The BBC said that Cody had gained a "broader outlook on life" due to her time away. [4] Cody tries hard to establish her relationship with her family, but her "bizarre" mood swings alarm her parents. [9] Doug (Terence Donovan) and Pam (Sue Jones) also find it hard to understand why Cody is steering clear of her "male admirers", Rick Alessi (Dan Falzon) and Michael Martin (Troy Beckwith). [9] Michael falls for Cody as he believes that they are two of a kind. [9] Inside Soap said "Both feel lonely and isolated after returning to their families after a long time away and initially they vow to stay just good friends." [9] However, Michael's sister, Debbie (Marnie Reece-Wilmore), decides to play cupid to get them together. This does not sit well with Michael's stepmother Julie (Julie Mullins). [9] When Rick first meets Cody, he thinks she is gorgeous and the girl for him. [9] He tries to flirt with her at every opportunity, but Cody is determined to stay away from boys. [9] She tells Debbie that she had her heart broken in America and that she is scared of getting hurt again. [9] In her book, Neighbours: the first 10 years, Josephine Monroe said that Cody and Rick were "made for each other" because they shared the same sense of humour and they were ambitious. [2]
It is later revealed that Cody had secretly married Drew Grover (Christopher Kirby) while she was in America. [10] Kirby told Caron James from TV Week that he believed the marriage story was credible, despite accusations that it was far-fetched. [11] Drew turns up in Ramsay Street and Cody is forced to explain that she returned home because Drew cheated on her. [10] Of why Cody and Drew married, Kirby explained to Victoria Ross of Inside Soap "Drew married Cody so that he could transfer a family inheritance into her name and so avoid paying tax on it. She knew what she was getting into, but unfortunately she fell head over heels in love with him and was devastated when she found out that he was having an affair with her best friend." [10] Cody's family are concerned when she does not send Drew back to America straight away and it looks like she wants to settle back into married life with him. [10] However, Drew asks Cody for a divorce because he wants to be a politician and a mixed race marriage might ruin his political aspirations. [10] Their marriage ends and Cody realises that she loves Rick. [4] Brady said that she was not like Cody at all when it came to men, saying "Cody always seemed to need to have a man in tow." [5]
After four years in the role, Brady decided to quit Neighbours. She said that Cody had been "great fun to play", but it was time to move on. [5] Upon learning that the character was to be killed-off, Brady admitted that she was relieved, as she could not sit and watch someone else in the role. [12] She continued, "I was pleased when I heard she was going to die because I like to finish things clearly – and that was obviously going to be an end to everything." [12] Brady found the filming of her last scenes "hard" and said was "just numb". She also said that it felt "kind of spooky" saying goodbye to her character, as she could sense "the feelings of everyone who'd known her in Ramsay Street." [12] Cody is shot after a drugs bust in Ramsay Street goes wrong. She is hit by a stray bullet as police try to apprehend the drug dealers. [5] The situation was described as being perhaps one of the most disturbing events to have ever occurred in Ramsay Street. [4] Cody was left in a critical condition and she was taken to the hospital, where she underwent surgery. Cody's mother flew down from Darwin to be by her daughter's bedside, but Cody later died. [5] Months before the storyline was due to air in the United Kingdom, the Dunblane massacre occurred and the BBC were urged not to show the scenes, which had been labelled "inappropriate and insensitive." [13]
Cody is the youngest child born to Doug and Pam Willis. Cody is a sister to Adam, Brad and Gaby. Cody falls for Todd Landers, who is her classmate at Erinsborough High. When Todd's girlfriend, Melissa Jarrett (Jade Amenta), goes away to America, Cody decides to make a play for Todd. Cody tries to seduce Todd, but he remains committed to Melissa. Todd later kisses Cody, but he stays with Melissa. Cody then began dating Josh Anderson (Jeremy Angerson). Melissa and Josh begin to spend more time together studying and they fall for each other. Todd then breaks up with Melissa for Cody.
Cody's parents move into Ramsay Street and Todd tells Cody that he is being sent back to Adelaide. Cody begs Todd to stay, but he is forced to leave. However, Todd does not get on the bus to Adelaide and Cody hides him in her room. Pam finds Todd, but his uncle Jim Robinson (Alan Dale) allows him to stay with him. Pam finds condoms in Cody's bag and fears she is having sex with Todd. The condoms had been given to all of the students at the school during a sex education class. Cody is forbidden from seeing Todd and they decide to run away. Cody catches a bad fever and is forced to return home.
The Willises go away to a guest house in the bush for a weekend and Cody goes missing just as a bush fire breaks out. She is presumed dead, after the valley where she had gone to collect water is gutted by the fire. Cody turns up the next day suffering from smoke inhalation and carrying a cat she rescued. Dorothy Burke (Maggie Dence) puts Cody forward for a scholarship in America. Cody does not want to leave Todd, but they decide to split up. The later decide to have a long-distance relationship. While she is away, Cody writes a letter to Todd telling him that their relationship is over. Cody later marries Drew Grover. When she realises that Drew does not love her, Cody returns to Erinsborough.
Cody's family are happy to have her home. Cody becomes withdrawn and Pam introduces her to Debbie Martin. Cody falls for Rick Alessi, because he is different. However, their romance is cut short, when Rick leaves for Hong Kong. Cody later becomes friends with Debbie's brother, Michael and they spend a lot of time together. Rick returns to Ramsay Street and a rivalry breaks out between him and Michael. Cody and Michael begin dating and Michael puts pressure on Cody to have sex. They later decide to be friends instead. Cody is stunned when Drew arrives in Ramsay Street and tries to stop him revealing the truth about their marriage. The truth does come out and Doug and Pam are shocked. Drew and Cody agree to divorce and Drew goes home.
Cody and Rick eventually start a relationship after he escorts her to the deb ball. Cody moves in with Marlene Kratz (Moya O'Sullivan) after Doug and Pam move to Darwin. She later moves in with Debbie's family. Rick is offered a job in Darwin and he leaves, after he and Cody agree to try a long-distance relationship. Cody gets a job as a receptionist at Karl Kennedy's (Alan Fletcher) surgery and moves in with Mark Gottlieb (Bruce Samazan). Cody ends her relationship with Rick for Stonefish Rebecchi (Anthony Engelman). They later decide to be friends and Cody begins dating her college tutor, Adrian Ewart (Jeremy Kewley). When she finds out that he has a girlfriend, she ends the relationship. However, Adrian begins stalking Cody and she is forced to issue him with a restraining order.
Stonefish and Malcolm Kennedy (Benjamin McNair) buy a used car from a pair of drug dealers. The police realise that the dealers have hidden drugs in the car and arrive in Ramsay Street to try to catch the dealers. The police set up a base for their operation in Cody's house. The drug dealers arrive and a shootout breaks out between them and the police. A shot is fired through the window and it hits Cody in the stomach. Cody is then rushed to the hospital for surgery. Cody lies in a critical condition for a week and Pam arrives to visit her. Cody regains consciousness, but she suddenly starts arresting. The doctors try to help, but Cody dies. She later appears to Sam Kratz (Richard Grieve) before a memorial service is held for her. Her body is then taken to Darwin to be buried.
A writer for the BBC's Neighbours website said Cody's most notable moment was "Being shot and killed." [14] During a feature on Neighbours, Anna Pickard of The Guardian tried to choose the characters she would be most starstruck by if she met them. She said "It would have to be the Willis family. All of them. Pam, Doug, Adam, Gaby, Brad and Cody". [15] While played by Frid, Sue Malins of the Daily Mirror called Cody "one of Neighbours most tedious teenies". [16] When she was caught up in the bus fire, Malins commented "She survives, however, and her brush with death makes her a very different person. Well, it's an ill wind..." [16] When the episode in which a condom is found in Cody's bag aired in the UK, Malins' colleague Pauline Wallin thought it would lead to the serial's younger viewers asking embarrassing questions about contraception. A spokesperson for the BBC confirmed that there had been no plans to warn parents about the content of the episode beforehand. [17] Bebe writing for BIG! branded Cody both "boy-crazy" and "boy-mad". [3] Kate Langbroek of The Age called Cody was the "resident intellectual" and added "don't be fooled by that grunge exterior." [18] In 2020, Adam Beresford writing for HuffPost opined that Cody, Melissa, Todd and Josh formed one of the "show's best teen groups". [19]
Lucy Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Melissa Bell. The character has previously been portrayed by Kylie Flinker and Sasha Close. She was created by producer Reg Watson as one of the serial's original characters. Lucy was a prominent figure during the early 1990s of Neighbours, with Bell playing her on and off for five years. Portrayed originally as being clever, a recast was implemented to fit the character's transformation and she became the stereotype of a ditzy blonde female. She has been involved in storylines including battling a brain tumour, coping with blindness, incest, modelling and addictions to drugs, alcohol and spending. She has also been positively and negatively received by critics for her "busty blonde" image while played by Bell. After making a brief return on 6 May 2013, Lucy made subsequent return visits until 2016. She was reintroduced as part of the serial's 35th anniversary in 2020, before returning briefly in late 2021 as part of the reintroduction of her half-brother, Glen Donnelly, and twice in 2022, appearing in the show's finale episode. Bell returned on 18 September 2023 following the show's renewal, but departed again on 21 September 2023. Bell returned again on 13 February 2024 for three episode centered around David Tanaka's death and left again on 15 February 2024.
Todd Landers is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Kristian Schmid. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 15 February 1988. Todd was introduced along with his younger sister Katie Landers. They were given an instant connection to the show through their aunt, Beverly Marshall. After choosing to leave the serial in 1991, Schmid suggested to the producers that his character should be killed off, and Todd died in the episode broadcast on 13 July 1992. He reappeared as a spirit in the following episode.
Philip Gordon Martin is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Ian Rawlings. Originally played by Christopher Milne during the character's first appearance in 1985, Rawlings took over the role when the character returned to the show in 1992 and remained until 1999. He briefly returned in 2005 for several episodes, and later in 2017 for the web series Neighbours vs Time Travel, and in 2022 for the show's then finale. Rawlings reprised the role in 2023.
Michael Martin is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Troy Beckwith. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 8 October 1985. The character was originally played by Samuel Hammington. Beckwith took over the role in 1992 and appeared on a regular basis until 1994, but continued to make guest appearances until 1998.
Debbie Martin is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Marnie Reece-Wilmore. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 22 July 1985. Debbie was played by Mandy Storvik in her first appearance, and subsequently by Katrina McEwan. Reece-Wilmore was cast in the role when the character returned in 1992. Debbie remained in the show until late 1994 and returned in 1996 and left again on 22 October 1997. In 2005, Reece-Wilmore reprised her role as Debbie for the show's 20th anniversary celebration. It was revealed that Debbie is working for Lassiter's in New York. She appeared in 401 episodes.
Kevin Rebecchi is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Anthony Engelman. He made his first appearance on 31 March 1994. Stonefish was the first of the Rebecchi family to appear and he was later followed by his mother, father and brothers. The character left in 1996, but returned briefly in 2003. In 2007, Engelman reprised his character again and Stonefish returned to Ramsay Street. He departed on 28 August 2007. The character then returned for brief guest stints from 2015 until 2018.
Rick Alessi is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Dan Falzon. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 8 June 1992. Rick and his family were introduced to the show following several cast departures. The character remained on-screen until 9 March 1995.
Gaby Willis is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Rachel Blakely. The show's casting director spotted Blakely on the cover of a magazine and asked her to audition for the role of Gaby. Blakely received the part and she was introduced to the show during a period of roller-coaster ratings. She made her first appearance during the episode broadcast on 12 August 1991. Gaby was introduced as the eldest daughter of Doug and Pam Willis. She comes to Erinsborough after taking a business course in Japan. Gaby is characterised as beautiful, intelligent and the apple of her father's eye. She also has a temper, leading Blakely to call her fiery.
Pam Willis is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Sue Jones. Pam was introduced by executive producer Don Battye as the matriarch of the newly introduced Willis family. Jones initially turned down an offer to appear in the show, before changing her mind. She was cast as Pam after a screen test. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 6 August 1990.
Glen Donnelly is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Richard Huggett. The actor joined the cast shortly after leaving E Street, and he relocated from Sydney to Melbourne, where the show is filmed. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 7 December 1990. Glen was introduced as the secret son of series regular Jim Robinson. He came to Erinsborough to meet his father and to ask for money to pay for his mother's funeral.
Jen Handley is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera Neighbours, played by Alyce Platt. Jen was introduced at a time when Network Ten was working to relaunch the serial with the addition of new characters and sexier storylines to improve ratings. She made her first on-screen appearance on 14 February 1995. Jen is portrayed as an easy-going, fun loving medical student. Jen embarks upon a relationship with widower Philip Martin, who gives her much-needed stability in her life. Her brother, Luke Handley, was later introduced to the series. Platt believed a storyline in which Jen is asked to donate a kidney to her cousin was a turning point for the character, as it gave her her own identity beyond a supporting role. Jen's final scenes aired on 6 March 1996. Platt later returned to Neighbours as an unrelated character, Olivia Bell, in 2012, 2020 and 2021.
Melissa Jarrett is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jade Amenta. She made her first appearance on 8 August 1989. Melissa departed on 9 April 1991. Amenta reprised her role in a guest appearance which was broadcast on 4 December 2023.
Josh Anderson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jeremy Angerson. He first appeared on-screen in the episode airing on 5 February 1990. He arrives in Erinsborough following his father's relocation to the area. Producers hired Angerson because they were increasing the size of the male cast. Josh is characterised as academically bright and good at chemistry. Angerson has described Josh as "naïve and a bit unpredictable" and "honest". During his tenure Josh helped to form the show's group of teenage characters consisting of himself, Todd Landers, Melissa Jarrett and Cody Willis. Other stories included a relationship with Phoebe Bright, the issue of temporary blindness and Josh becoming a stripper. The latter storyline challenged Angerson who felt nervous portraying a stripper. He later described filming Josh's stripping scenes as "pretty horrendous" and an "horrific experience".
The Willis family are a fictional family from the Australian soap opera Neighbours. They were introduced by Don Battye in 1989, but left screens in 1996, before being reintroduced in 2013. The first family member to be seen on-screen was Brad Willis, who appeared in a guest capacity from October 1989, and then his sister Cody from November. The family became a more permanent fixture with the arrival of patriarch Doug Willis and his wife Pam, who moved onto Ramsay Street the following year. Cody was the last family member to regularly appear in the show until her on-screen death in 1996, which brought Pam back briefly to bury her daughter.
Adam Willis is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Ian Williams. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 9 August 1990. Williams was cast in the role in early 1990, but did not start filming until June because he had work commitments to another television project. News outlets claimed producers cast Williams to replace former fan-favourite cast members, a claim the actor found insulting.
Joanna Evans is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Emma Harrison. Joanna was introduced as the younger half-sister of established character, Annalise Hartman. She made her first on screen appearance on 26 May 1995. Following Davies' departure from Neighbours in 1996, rumours began that Harrison's character would be written out of the show. However, the actress signed a new long-term contract with Neighbours a few months later. In February 1997, producers decided to write Joanna out of the show. A reporter for the Daily Mirror said Harrison was written out due to rows with the producers over her poor acting. Joanna departed on screen on 15 April 1997. In 2005, Harrison was invited to return to Neighbours for the 20th anniversary episode, but she did not appear.
Douglas "Doug" Willis is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Terence Donovan. Doug was introduced by executive producer Don Battye as the patriarch of the newly introduced Willis family. Donovan explained that being part of "a loving family" was one of the main reasons he accepted the role. He said he was happy to stay around for as long as the producers wanted him. Donovan made his first screen appearance as Doug during the episode broadcast on 18 July 1990.
Guy Carpenter is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Andrew Williams. The actor was initially hesitant about joining the show, as he had been about to secure a record contract. He made his first screen appearance on 10 September 1991. A few months later, Williams decided to leave Neighbours as he felt unfulfilled by the role. He also wanted more time to pursue his music career. Guy departed on 27 March 1992. Williams reprised his role for one episode as part of the show's 30th anniversary on 18 March 2015.